A highly bioactive yak collagen mesotherapy for rejuvenation of photoaging skin
1 State Key Laboratory of Nature Product Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
2 Gansu Engineering Research Center of Medical Collagen, Lanzhou 730000, China
3 School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
  • Volume
  • Citation
    Xu S, Yang Y, Zhang J, Liu G, Sun X, et al. A highly bioactive yak collagen mesotherapy for rejuvenation of photoaging skin. Biofunct. Mater. 2025(3):0012, https://doi.org/10.55092/bm20250012. 
  • DOI
    10.55092/bm20250012
  • Copyright
    Copyright2025 by the authors. Published by ELSP.
Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation was one of the primary contributors to skin aging. Prolonged exposure to UV rays accelerated the degradation of collagen, resulting in various photoaging-related skin problems, including wrinkles, dryness, and hyperpigmentation. Mesotherapy was a widely utilized skin repair method in the field of aesthetic medicine; however, it faced challenges such as biosafety concerns and monofunctionality. Herein, we developed for the first time a highly bioactive yak collagen mesotherapy (Col-M) for the rejuvenation of photoaging skin. Through experiments measuring DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rates, tyrosinase inhibition rates, and zebrafish efficacy evaluation experiments, the multifunctional Col-M was identified. This mesotherapy demonstrated exceptional antioxidant, whitening, moisturizing, repair-promoting, and soothing effects. Animal studies demonstrated that the Col-M increased dermal density, improved skin tone, enhanced skin hydration, and restored transcutaneous water loss (TEWL). The Col-M stimulated fibroblasts, providing an optimal physiological environment that promoted collagen regeneration and improved photoaged skin. H&E staining revealed that Col-M effectively avoided triggering an inflammatory response while demonstrating the ability to suppress epidermal hyperplasia. Masson trichrome staining illustrated that the Col-M promoted collagen regeneration and expedited the remodeling process of photoaged skin. In photoaged mice skin, Col-M elevated hydroxyproline content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione reductase (GSH) levels, concurrently reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The Col-M provided an effective treatment for photoaged skin, presenting significant application potential in the fields of dermatology and regenerative medicine.

Keywords

yak collagen; collagen mesotherapy; photoaging skin rejuvenation; antioxidant activity; collagen regeneration; skin repair

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